EPFL has developed a CO2 calculator built for research laboratories, which typically use three to ten times more energy than offices. The tool pulls in data on lab size, electricity, and purchasing history, and lets researchers add travel, specialty products, and IT services. It then breaks down emissions by source instead of giving one total. In a pilot, one lab found a space heater was a major emitter, which helped them make a case for building upgrades. The calculator also includes a project planner for grant proposals and an explorer to compare options like flights or equipment purchases. ETH Zurich and the University of Lausanne are looking at adapting the tool. The calculator is not perfect, since some emissions like specialized chemicals are hard to trace. EPFL says it is open about assumptions and methods so results can be compared across labs.
